Democrat's withdrawal upends Kansas Senate race

The Democratic nominee trying to unseat veteran GOP Sen. Pat Roberts in Kansas withdrew Wednesday, giving an independent candidate an opening in what could become a competitive race to watch.

Chad Taylor, the district attorney in Shawnee County, told TheWichita Eagle in a statement that he decided to drop out “after much consideration and prolonged discussion with my supporters, my staff and party leadership at every level.” Taylor tweeted a “thank you” to his supporters.

A survey last month by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling found Roberts, who is seeking a fourth term, leading a tight race with Taylor and Greg Orman, a businessman running as an independent. But Orman was leading Roberts by 10 percentage points in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup, the PPP poll said.

Orman was outraising Taylor, according to campaign finance reports.

Roberts’ campaign blasted Taylor’s withdrawal. Leroy Towns, the senator’s executive campaign manager, said Taylor’s decision “reveals a corrupt bargain between Greg Orman and national Democrats including Senator Harry Reid that disenfranchises Kansas Democrats. It makes clear what has been obvious from the start: Orman is the choice of liberal Democrats and he can no longer hide behind an independent smokescreen.”

In a statement, Orman called Taylor’s departure “an unexpected turn of events.” He called Taylor a “committed public servant” who “ran an honorable campaign and worked hard.”